Iowan pilot finds ancient Egyptian cave drawings

Published: Thursday, June 08, 2000

AIN SOKHNA ROAD, Egypt {AP} Archaeologists aren't exaggerating when they say ancient treasures abound in the sands of Egypt. So many, in fact, that even a pilot from Iowa, out on a desert outing, can make a notable discovery: cave drawings that could date back thousands of years before the birth of Christ.

George Cunningham was in the desert 25 miles southeast of Cairo looking for fossilized sea urchins, shells and plants a favorite hobby when he spotted "an interesting looking wall" late last month.

On Wednesday, Cunningham led Egyptian scholars to the site to investigate the find a sort of cave in a limestone hill.

The cave drawings appear to be from three eras, according to Egyptian experts. The earliest, which could date back to 7000-6500 B.C., are hunting scenes: men and women carrying bows alongside what appear to be dogs or wolves.

A later drawing appears to be religious: two gods or goddesses in an arch alongside three shapely women probably goddesses as well. It could date to the early Pharaonic dynastic period, around 3,000-2500 B.C., the experts say.

From yet another era comes writing that specialists speculate could represent a transition between languages, .